PhotoHistory

From: Complete Self-Instructing Library of Practical Photography
Volume I - Elementary Photography

J. B. Schriever, Editor 1909

Elementary Flashlight Photography

Frequently it is desired to make a photograph of an improperly lighted interior. The problem, then, is to secure even illumination and, at the same time, procure detail in the deepest shadows of certain portions. Perhaps there will be but one window in the room, and you might wish to point the camera directly toward it in order to photograph certain objects in that particular part of the room. It would, of course, be necessary, if using daylight, to have the curtains raised and allow the light to enter here. But for average work it would be almost impossible to secure proper results by pointing the camera directly towards the source of light. There may be other difficulties besides, which would not permit you to secure the desired results by using daylight as your illuminant. In such cases you can resort to artificial light. The best and most convenient to employ is flashlight. There are many methods of using this artificial light, the two ordinarily employed being flash-powder and flash-sheets.

For many purposes flashlight is more desirable than sunlight. If properly handled it can always be depended upon to give illumination when wanted. With it you will be able to secure just the right amount of brilliancy. It can also be so placed that the shadows will fall in the desired direction. To the amateur worker especially, flashlight photography is a special convenience, and as photographic work is frequently confined to the night, he should by all means understand its use.

It is frequently desirable to photograph a large room which is illuminated by only one small source of light. Again, to secure a full time exposure in the darkest corner of the room would cause a decided over-exposure near the window. The flash-powder may be placed in such a position that it will illuminate this dark corner, being so concealed by some article of furniture or a screen, that it does not strike the lens. These ordinary uses of the flashlight will enable any amateur to secure successful results; in fact equal, if not superior, to the ordinary snap-shots out of doors.

Flash-Powder

Flash-powder is put up in various ways. It is usually supplied in one ounce bottles or boxes. Perhaps the most popular brands of flash-powder (yet all are good) are the Luxo, the Nichols, the Victor and the Eastman. The latter company also put up what is known as flashlight cartridges, which have a fuse attached to the cartridge for igniting them. Each cartridge contains a certain amount of powder. When a large flash is required, more than one cartridge may be employed. They also supply what is known as flash-sheets, which are used by simply pinning them up against a cardboard on the wall and igniting the lower corner.

Caution

Flash-powder is just exactly as dangerous to handle as gun-powder. It must be kept away from heat. Friction will sometimes ignite it; therefore, be very careful in handling it. Flash-powder must never be used in a magnesium lamp, for with this lamp the magnesium is stored in a chamber and, through a rubber tube, blown into the flame. If flash-powder were used in this machine you would have an explosion. We give these cautions so that you will not meet with accident, yet there is practically no danger if these precautions are observed.

Preparing the Flash-Powder

There are different ways of operating or igniting the flash-powder. The most convenient for amateur use, however, are either the flash cartridges or flash-sheets, the latter of which are used by simply pinning them up against a cardboard on the wall and igniting the lower corner. The same general principles will apply whether the lamp, the cartridge, or the flash-sheet be used. Another simple method, where Luxo or other flash-powders are used, and where you have no machine for igniting the powder, is to use an ordinary flat tin pan.

To prepare Luxo or other bulk powders for flashlight, when a flat pan is used, place a little cotton batting or absorbent cotton on a pan (one with a handle preferred). Pour sufficient Luxo, or whatever powder you use, on the cotton, well scattered. Allow a small piece of the cotton to hang over the edge of the pan, say five to seven inches. Use this as a fuse for igniting and setting off the flashlight. When you are ready, place the pan on a table or stepladder, and light the end of the cotton with a match or lighted candle. Always light the fuse from below, never from above. Do not look into the flash, but as soon as you light the fuse turn your face away from the powder, as it is very dazzling and extremely hot.

Placing the Flashlight

The light should always be placed two feet behind and two or three feet to one side of the camera. It is very essential to avoid having the flash come into the field of the lens, which would blur the picture. This would be the case if it were placed in front of or even on a line with the front of the camera. It should be placed to one side, as well as behind, so as to throw a slight shadow and give a little relief in lighting. It is best to have the flash a little higher than the camera. A sheet of white cardboard may be set up a couple feet behind the flash, and as this will act as a reflector the strength of the light will be increased.

Flash-Sheet

Pin a flash-sheet by one corner to a piece of cardboard, which has previously been fixed in a perpendicular position. If the cardboard is white it will act as a reflector. Now, having the camera and the powder in position, open the shutter of the camera as for time exposure, using the stop ordinarily employed for snapshots. Stand at arm’s length and touch a match to the lower corner of the flash-sheet. As soon as the flash is over, close the shutter.

If it is necessary to use two or more sheets, they should be pinned to the cardboard, one above the other, the corners slightly over-lapping. As a matter of precaution, place a piece of cardboard beneath, as well as one behind, the flash-sheet. If a piece of burning powder should fall, it will then do no injury.

Flash Cartridges

Remove the cover and rubber band from the cartridge and place it upon a cardboard. Now, open the shutter, ignite the fuse while at arm’s length, protecting the eyes, in the meantime, from the brilliant flash. After the flash close the shutter. If two cartridges are required, the contents of one of them can be poured into the other, care being taken, however, that if any of the powder spills off it does not lie in such a position as to practically shorten the fuse. The fuses work very quickly; therefore you should be very careful to get away before the flash goes off. Never stand with your face over the powder, nor even have your hand above the powder. When the flash takes place the flame shoots upward; therefore, if you keep below the flash there will be much less danger. Do not become excited or nervous, as there is no need of it. You should work carefully, and by observing the above cautions there will be absolutely no danger.

Flash-Lamp

There are various flash-lamps that may be purchased at prices ranging from $1.00 up. These will be found to give excellent satisfaction and there is less danger in employing them. The Nichols, Jr. lamp, which sells for $7.50, is the most practical low priced amateur lamp on the market. There are hand lamps, however, which may be purchased for $1.00 or $1.50, that will give equal results.

The Powder

The amount of powder required to light a room depends entirely upon the color of the walls and hangings, as well as the distance of the object furthest from the camera. The following table, based on the Eastman flash cartridge, is approximately correct when using the ordinary hand camera or kodak with the lens wide open:

TABLE.

For 10 feet distance and light walls and hangings use:
1 Cartridge No 2, or
1 even teaspoonful
1 Flash Sheet.

For 10 feet distance and dark walls and hangings use:
2 Cartridges No. 2, or
2 even teaspoonsful
2 Flash Sheets

For 15 feet distance and light walls and hangings use:
2 Cartridges No. 2, or
2 even teaspoonsful
2 Flash Sheets

For 15 feet distance and dark walls and hangings use:
3 Cartridges No. 2, or
3 even teaspoonsful
3 Flash Sheets

For 25 feet distance and light walls and hangings use:
3 Cartridges No. 2, or
3 even teaspoonsful
3 Flash Sheets

For 25 feet distance and dark walls and hangings use:
4 Cartridges No. 2, or
4 even teaspoonsful
4 Flash Sheets

Note — The No. 1 Cartridges hold 50% more powder and the No. 3 about half as much as the No. 2 and should be used accordingly.

Portraits

Place the sitter in a chair partly facing the camera, and turn the face slightly towards the camera, which latter should be at the height of an ordinary table. The proper distance from the camera to the subject will depend upon the size of image you wish to produce. This may be ascertained by looking at the image in the finder. The subject should not be arranged facing the flash, but the figure and face should be slightly turned from the light.

Groups

Groups should be arranged in a semicircular form, facing the camera. Each member of the group should be exactly the same distance from the camera. In case of groups of a dozen or more members some of them may be seated, others may be arranged standing. Usually the tall members appear best in a sitting or lounging position. If it is necessary that any of the subjects be seated on the floor, the legs should be drawn in closely not extended toward the camera.

Important

It is always best to have the room well lighted when making flashlights. Especially is this advisable when making portraits or groups, for if the room is darkened the sudden flash of the powder so strains the eyes of the sitters that they almost invariably have a staring look. On the other hand, if the room is already well illuminated by electric or lamp light, the strain will not be great and the eyes will have a natural expression. When the room is brightly lighted, however, the shutter should not be opened until just an instant before the flash is made. It must also be closed immediately after the flash.

When more than one flashlight is to be taken the windows should be opened and time allowed between each flash to free the room thoroughly from smoke. If this precaution is not taken, those pictures which are made while there is smoke in the room will have a foggy appearance. No matter how little smoke there is in the room it may cause a fogged negative, as the lens is even keener than the eye in detecting it.

The flash-sheets are not instantaneous, and, therefore, when making portraits or groups you should request your subject to remain still, just the same as for a time exposure. The flash-sheets are best to use when photographing general interior views in which there are no moving objects. From one to two seconds are consumed in burning a single flash-sheet, and the light is much less brilliant than the instantaneous flash. This is a decided advantage when the subjects can be depended upon to keep quiet, as the eyes are not strained by the flash and do not have the staring effect so often seen in flashlight pictures. In photographing children or groups it is better to use the flash-cartridge, or the flash-lamp, as either of these methods is practically instantaneous.

Development

When developing negatives that have been made by flashlight, you should keep them as far from the ruby light as possible. In fact, it is advisable to shade them from the rays of the ruby light. The reason for this is that the image will not appear as quickly on such negatives as on those made by daylight. Development might proceed a little slowly, but you should judge completed development in exactly the same manner as you would ordinary exposures made in daylight.

Practice Work

It is advisable for your first practice work to use the minimum amount of powder given in the scale, and if upon developing the plate you find it under-exposed, you will understand that more powder must be used, when working under the same circumstances, and the exact additional amount must be estimated by the appearance of the quality of the negative first developed. For your first experiments it is advisable to select the interior of a room, locating your camera so as to take in as much of the room as possible; then arrange your flashlight ready for the exposure.

Above all things when handling flash-powder, whether in sheets, cartridges, with a flash-machine, or an ordinary tin pan, keep cool, work carefully, and never hold your hands or face over the powder at any time. When all is in readiness, first press the bulb and open the shutter, and with a lighted match or candle (usually a tape is used) light the fuse. As soon as you have done so turn the face from the light, looking into the direction of the view of the room, to observe the effect of the illumination. As soon as the exposure is made close the shutter or cap the lens.

With a little experience you will be able to work the flashlight as well as daylight, even with groups and portraits in the home. When developing flashlight plates use diluted developer, and carry the plate to a good strength. Make proof prints from each experiment, noting on the back of each all data concerning the manner of procedure, such as the amount of powder, the size of stop used, size of room you are working in, color of the surroundings, method of igniting the powder, etc. File all proofs containing data in your proof file, for future reference.